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From The Socialist newspaper, 20 November 2019
Frimley NHS Trust: Strikers remain determined to defeat privatisation
Previous protest against NHS staff transfer into a 'wholly owned subsidiary', photo by John Gillman (Click to enlarge)
Terry Pearce, chair, Bracknell Unite (personal capacity)
Members of Unite and GMB trade unions, along with community supporters, were out on strike at Heatherwood Hospital near Bracknell (part of the Frimley NHS Foundation Trust) on 18 and 19 November.
The health workers had walked out over being transferred out of the NHS to a wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) company - effectively, privatised.
The mood on the picket line was resolute and defiant, but the strikers cause has not been helped by the actions of Unison union officials who, unilaterally, stopped strike action by their members.
It was reported that the transfer to the WOS has been suspended while discussions take place on a smaller WOS involving management being transferred but not other staff. These discussions have not involved Unite or GMB.
This caused much anger among union members and I was told that many Unison members had joined GMB, including three reps. Meanwhile, the strike continued without Unison.
Unison is wrong to act independently of the other unions as this can only play into the bosses' hands and weaken the strike.
It's reported that a meeting will take place on 21 November between all the unions and the health trust. GMB members say that they and Unite are standing firm in opposing the WOS and further action is being planned.
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In The Socialist 20 November 2019:
What we think
High Court injunction: solidarity to the CWU
CWU - ground laid for an almighty struggle
Climate change
Major funding for flood risk management needed
NHS
Save the NHS: kick out the Tories
Frimley NHS Trust: Strikers remain determined to defeat privatisation
Violence against women
What policies are needed to end domestic violence and abuse?
Socialist Party news and analysis
Broadband: privatisation has failed to deliver, time for a socialist plan
Bolton university fire: government inaction puts safety at risk
Wages flatline, while shareholders profit
Workplace news and analysis
UCU pay and pension strike: university staff have had enough
West Midlands Trains: guards strike to defend safety-critical role
PCS union: elect Marion Lloyd!
Cleaners strike over low pay at Haringey secondary school
Bradford library and museum strikers enter third round of strike action
Long hours in the world of security
NEU members' sixth-form walkouts
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Secret police infiltration of workers' movement exposed
150 protest against Leicester hospital downgrading attack
Carmarthenshire union demands no-cuts budget
Swansea: students protest against Hillary Clinton hypocrisy
Keep the National Poetry Library free
Readers' opinion
International socialist news and analysis
Amazon bosses defeated in Seattle - Kshama Sawant reelected
Chile revolt continues: read eyewitness report
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